Aussie Lee makes history with stunning win
Minjee Lee becomes the fourth Aussie golfer to win three major championships, taking out the women's PGA Championship by three shots.
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ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
How Minjee Lee found a slice of home via her brother's message after winning her third golf major
The tyranny of distance is something golfers know well. As they stand on that tee and look out towards the flag — if they can see it at all — it is only distance that stands between them and their goal. It's a stupidly simple game, really. In the words of the great and fictional golfer Chubbs Peterson, the charmingly sincere nature of golf is to simply "send the ball home". Minjee Lee knows how to overcome distance, both figuratively and literally. The concept of home, though? That's a little more complicated. In rubber-stamping herself as one of Australia's greatest golfers by claiming her third major at the Women's PGA Championship, one comment stood out as Lee paid tribute to her over-achieving family. "Wherever Min is, he's supporting me out there," Lee said of little brother and rising golfing star Min Woo Lee. Such is the complicated and stacked nature of the men's and women's golfing calendar, these kind of achievements — so epic and history-making that it feels they should be played out surrounded by family — are instead completed not knowing exactly where in the world your only sibling is as you achieve them. For what it's worth, Min Woo was in the final round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, 2,300km away. The same country. But a world away from the champagne showers and unbridled joy of his big sister's big moment. Having just crawled towards a 63rd-placed finish, and with a microphone in his face and a sponsorship banner behind him, Min Woo sent the most sincere and warm message he possibly could from the most corporate and staged of settings. "I'm so proud of you," he said, having been prompted by the broadcasters to send the message. "The last couple of years have been tough and I'm glad to see you back in the winner's circle. "I'm proud of you and … ah … love you." On the final two words, Min Woo's face beamed. No doubt the private calls and texts and group chats had lit up with the more candid and fervent messages of inside jokes and gentle ribbing that can only come through that love language that we all have with our closest families and friends. But in those two words, Min Woo's warmth towards his sister broke through the corporate barriers, a glimpse of home on a golf tour that so often lacks a true understanding of the concept, with an endless schedule and the constant battle to stay high enough in the rankings to make it all worth it. "That's so sweet," Minjee said when shown the video. "We don't get to see each other too much, I feel like I see him more on social media than anything. "I do miss him on the road. Just seeing that makes me a little bit emotional. "It's just really nice to know that you have your family supporting you no matter where you are in the world, even if you're miles apart." This is a tour of close calls, of heartbreak, and of missed opportunities, all of which Minjee has gone through since her previous major victory in 2022, with a capitulation in last year's US Open appearing to dent her growing confidence. And through it all, Min Woo has been there for her, even if via that tyranny of distance. "This will be Minjee's year," Min Woo told the ABC'S Australian Story in March last year. "She'll get there, she'll get there." He turned to his sister during the interview. "Not you think you can," he said. "You will." With putter in hand, home is a tangible thing. Home is in the hole, then off to the next tee to find home again. Off the course, though, it's a concept that is much harder to pinpoint for those on the tour, one that differs from that which you and I understand, of our own bed at night, our place on the couch, a hot meal surrounded by our loved ones. Home is the next hotel at the next event. Home is in the clubhouse weighing up if all of this is worth it. But home is also a message from your brother 2,300km away. Home is those final two words of that message and the beaming smile that comes with it. And home is living in the knowledge that even if you don't "get there", you'll always have a sibling who believes that you can.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie ace Minjee Lee wins Women's PGA Championship
Cementing her greatness, Australian golf superstar Minjee Lee has claimed a historic third career major with a steely victory at the mega-money Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Lee had her four-shot overnight lead slashed in half early in the final round before hanging on, then surging gamely for a three-shot triumph in more extremely trying conditions at PGA Frisco's windswept Fields Ranch East course. The 29-year-old bogeyed three of the first six holes in an understandably anxious start before steadying to close with a sufficiently sound two-over-par 74 on championship Sunday (Monday AEST). Lee finished with a 72-hole four-under 284 total to deny fast-finishing American Auston Kim (68) and Thai Chanetee Wannasaen (68) improbable comeback victories at the third women's major of the year. In adding to her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success, Lee completed the third leg of women's golf's fabled grand slam to edge ever closer to a place in the sport's Hall of Fame. The British Open and Chevron Championship are the only two majors to elude Lee. Just as significantly, Lee joined legends - and fellow females - Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as only the third Australian golfer in history to win three different major championships. With three majors, Lee also surpassed the great Greg Norman and David Graham on Australia's all-time majors winning list. Lee now only trails seven-times major champion Webb and five-times British Open winner Thomson. Sunday's victory also snapped a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career, and secured Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million). Perhaps most gratifying of all, the Perth prodigy also buried the demons from last year's spectacular final-round crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth at Lancaster Country Club. Cementing her greatness, Australian golf superstar Minjee Lee has claimed a historic third career major with a steely victory at the mega-money Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Lee had her four-shot overnight lead slashed in half early in the final round before hanging on, then surging gamely for a three-shot triumph in more extremely trying conditions at PGA Frisco's windswept Fields Ranch East course. The 29-year-old bogeyed three of the first six holes in an understandably anxious start before steadying to close with a sufficiently sound two-over-par 74 on championship Sunday (Monday AEST). Lee finished with a 72-hole four-under 284 total to deny fast-finishing American Auston Kim (68) and Thai Chanetee Wannasaen (68) improbable comeback victories at the third women's major of the year. In adding to her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success, Lee completed the third leg of women's golf's fabled grand slam to edge ever closer to a place in the sport's Hall of Fame. The British Open and Chevron Championship are the only two majors to elude Lee. Just as significantly, Lee joined legends - and fellow females - Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as only the third Australian golfer in history to win three different major championships. With three majors, Lee also surpassed the great Greg Norman and David Graham on Australia's all-time majors winning list. Lee now only trails seven-times major champion Webb and five-times British Open winner Thomson. Sunday's victory also snapped a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career, and secured Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million). Perhaps most gratifying of all, the Perth prodigy also buried the demons from last year's spectacular final-round crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth at Lancaster Country Club. Cementing her greatness, Australian golf superstar Minjee Lee has claimed a historic third career major with a steely victory at the mega-money Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Lee had her four-shot overnight lead slashed in half early in the final round before hanging on, then surging gamely for a three-shot triumph in more extremely trying conditions at PGA Frisco's windswept Fields Ranch East course. The 29-year-old bogeyed three of the first six holes in an understandably anxious start before steadying to close with a sufficiently sound two-over-par 74 on championship Sunday (Monday AEST). Lee finished with a 72-hole four-under 284 total to deny fast-finishing American Auston Kim (68) and Thai Chanetee Wannasaen (68) improbable comeback victories at the third women's major of the year. In adding to her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success, Lee completed the third leg of women's golf's fabled grand slam to edge ever closer to a place in the sport's Hall of Fame. The British Open and Chevron Championship are the only two majors to elude Lee. Just as significantly, Lee joined legends - and fellow females - Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as only the third Australian golfer in history to win three different major championships. With three majors, Lee also surpassed the great Greg Norman and David Graham on Australia's all-time majors winning list. Lee now only trails seven-times major champion Webb and five-times British Open winner Thomson. Sunday's victory also snapped a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career, and secured Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million). Perhaps most gratifying of all, the Perth prodigy also buried the demons from last year's spectacular final-round crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth at Lancaster Country Club. Cementing her greatness, Australian golf superstar Minjee Lee has claimed a historic third career major with a steely victory at the mega-money Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Lee had her four-shot overnight lead slashed in half early in the final round before hanging on, then surging gamely for a three-shot triumph in more extremely trying conditions at PGA Frisco's windswept Fields Ranch East course. The 29-year-old bogeyed three of the first six holes in an understandably anxious start before steadying to close with a sufficiently sound two-over-par 74 on championship Sunday (Monday AEST). Lee finished with a 72-hole four-under 284 total to deny fast-finishing American Auston Kim (68) and Thai Chanetee Wannasaen (68) improbable comeback victories at the third women's major of the year. In adding to her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success, Lee completed the third leg of women's golf's fabled grand slam to edge ever closer to a place in the sport's Hall of Fame. The British Open and Chevron Championship are the only two majors to elude Lee. Just as significantly, Lee joined legends - and fellow females - Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as only the third Australian golfer in history to win three different major championships. With three majors, Lee also surpassed the great Greg Norman and David Graham on Australia's all-time majors winning list. Lee now only trails seven-times major champion Webb and five-times British Open winner Thomson. Sunday's victory also snapped a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career, and secured Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million). Perhaps most gratifying of all, the Perth prodigy also buried the demons from last year's spectacular final-round crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth at Lancaster Country Club.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Kookaburra season in England has left one Aussie rapt
The Kookaburra cricket ball has been brought out to play in England's county cricket season - and one Australian quick bowler couldn't be happier. Liam Guthrie hadn't had the best of times with Northamptonshire so far this campaign, having not taken more than three wickets in any innings for Darren Lehmann's division two outfit all season. But that all changed at Northampton on Sunday when the Australian Kookaburra ball was introduced for the next few county games in place of the familiar English-produced Dukes ball - and Guthrie produced a six-wicket display against Middlesex, easily his best performance so far. Taking advantage of his expertise with the cherry he's more familiar with using, the 28-year-old ripped through the visitors' top-order taking three quick wickets to reduce Middlesex to 3-33. He also struck later in the day, getting rid of half-centurion Luke Hollman and ended with figures of 6-87 off 19 probing overs, with the battling unbeaten century from wicketkeeper-batter Joe Cracknell providing the main rearguard action as Middlesex battled back to finish on 8-397. "I play a fair bit with the Kook back home in Australia. It is a different skill to the Dukes. Guys who play with the Dukes over here obviously have skills that are different to what Australian seamers would have when they come over," said West Australian Guthrie, who has a UK passport and isn't considered an overseas player. "It's just about being clear with your plans and sort of hitting the deck hard, not sort of floating it when the Kookaburra's a bit softer." One more wicket tomorrow and Guthrie will go past his career-best first-class figures of 6-60 for Queensland against Victoria a couple of years ago. Elsewhere in the resumed county championship program, a couple of Aussie batters also seemed perfectly at home with the introduction of the Kookaburra, which is part of the English game's continued bid to give home players wider international experience. There were half-centuries for Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored with 58 off 127 balls as they were skittled for 187 by Derbyshire at Bristol, and Sussex's Tasmanian opener Daniel Hughes, who made 60 off 110 balls against Durham at Chester-le-Street in their 9-322. It was a big day for debutant Ashton Turner at Blackpool as he was handed his Lancashire cap by his Australian teammate Chris Green, who took a wicket (1-63) on a rain-interrupted day as Kent finished the opening day on 3-213. Lancashire's captain for the first time in a county match was 42-year-old James Anderson, who was also the subject of a special presentation of his own as he received a bottle of champagne to mark his 300th first-class match. Anderson, who couldn't mark the latest landmark with a wicket (0-36), stepped in as skipper because Lancashire's Australian skipper Marcus Harris, the top-scorer in the county championship this season (825 runs), had flown home to attend the birth of his second child. The Kookaburra cricket ball has been brought out to play in England's county cricket season - and one Australian quick bowler couldn't be happier. Liam Guthrie hadn't had the best of times with Northamptonshire so far this campaign, having not taken more than three wickets in any innings for Darren Lehmann's division two outfit all season. But that all changed at Northampton on Sunday when the Australian Kookaburra ball was introduced for the next few county games in place of the familiar English-produced Dukes ball - and Guthrie produced a six-wicket display against Middlesex, easily his best performance so far. Taking advantage of his expertise with the cherry he's more familiar with using, the 28-year-old ripped through the visitors' top-order taking three quick wickets to reduce Middlesex to 3-33. He also struck later in the day, getting rid of half-centurion Luke Hollman and ended with figures of 6-87 off 19 probing overs, with the battling unbeaten century from wicketkeeper-batter Joe Cracknell providing the main rearguard action as Middlesex battled back to finish on 8-397. "I play a fair bit with the Kook back home in Australia. It is a different skill to the Dukes. Guys who play with the Dukes over here obviously have skills that are different to what Australian seamers would have when they come over," said West Australian Guthrie, who has a UK passport and isn't considered an overseas player. "It's just about being clear with your plans and sort of hitting the deck hard, not sort of floating it when the Kookaburra's a bit softer." One more wicket tomorrow and Guthrie will go past his career-best first-class figures of 6-60 for Queensland against Victoria a couple of years ago. Elsewhere in the resumed county championship program, a couple of Aussie batters also seemed perfectly at home with the introduction of the Kookaburra, which is part of the English game's continued bid to give home players wider international experience. There were half-centuries for Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored with 58 off 127 balls as they were skittled for 187 by Derbyshire at Bristol, and Sussex's Tasmanian opener Daniel Hughes, who made 60 off 110 balls against Durham at Chester-le-Street in their 9-322. It was a big day for debutant Ashton Turner at Blackpool as he was handed his Lancashire cap by his Australian teammate Chris Green, who took a wicket (1-63) on a rain-interrupted day as Kent finished the opening day on 3-213. Lancashire's captain for the first time in a county match was 42-year-old James Anderson, who was also the subject of a special presentation of his own as he received a bottle of champagne to mark his 300th first-class match. Anderson, who couldn't mark the latest landmark with a wicket (0-36), stepped in as skipper because Lancashire's Australian skipper Marcus Harris, the top-scorer in the county championship this season (825 runs), had flown home to attend the birth of his second child. The Kookaburra cricket ball has been brought out to play in England's county cricket season - and one Australian quick bowler couldn't be happier. Liam Guthrie hadn't had the best of times with Northamptonshire so far this campaign, having not taken more than three wickets in any innings for Darren Lehmann's division two outfit all season. But that all changed at Northampton on Sunday when the Australian Kookaburra ball was introduced for the next few county games in place of the familiar English-produced Dukes ball - and Guthrie produced a six-wicket display against Middlesex, easily his best performance so far. Taking advantage of his expertise with the cherry he's more familiar with using, the 28-year-old ripped through the visitors' top-order taking three quick wickets to reduce Middlesex to 3-33. He also struck later in the day, getting rid of half-centurion Luke Hollman and ended with figures of 6-87 off 19 probing overs, with the battling unbeaten century from wicketkeeper-batter Joe Cracknell providing the main rearguard action as Middlesex battled back to finish on 8-397. "I play a fair bit with the Kook back home in Australia. It is a different skill to the Dukes. Guys who play with the Dukes over here obviously have skills that are different to what Australian seamers would have when they come over," said West Australian Guthrie, who has a UK passport and isn't considered an overseas player. "It's just about being clear with your plans and sort of hitting the deck hard, not sort of floating it when the Kookaburra's a bit softer." One more wicket tomorrow and Guthrie will go past his career-best first-class figures of 6-60 for Queensland against Victoria a couple of years ago. Elsewhere in the resumed county championship program, a couple of Aussie batters also seemed perfectly at home with the introduction of the Kookaburra, which is part of the English game's continued bid to give home players wider international experience. There were half-centuries for Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored with 58 off 127 balls as they were skittled for 187 by Derbyshire at Bristol, and Sussex's Tasmanian opener Daniel Hughes, who made 60 off 110 balls against Durham at Chester-le-Street in their 9-322. It was a big day for debutant Ashton Turner at Blackpool as he was handed his Lancashire cap by his Australian teammate Chris Green, who took a wicket (1-63) on a rain-interrupted day as Kent finished the opening day on 3-213. Lancashire's captain for the first time in a county match was 42-year-old James Anderson, who was also the subject of a special presentation of his own as he received a bottle of champagne to mark his 300th first-class match. Anderson, who couldn't mark the latest landmark with a wicket (0-36), stepped in as skipper because Lancashire's Australian skipper Marcus Harris, the top-scorer in the county championship this season (825 runs), had flown home to attend the birth of his second child.
